KalingaTimes Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, May 8: Farmers across Orissa observed Akshaya Trutiya on Thursday by ceremonially sowing seeds in their fields to mark the beginning of a yet another agriculture season.

The State government celebrated the occasion as Farmer's Day across the State.

As farmers performed the rituals connected to the auspicious day and sowed seeds in their fields, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik meticulously performed the role of a farmer and

ploughed agricultural fields in Nagiapasi village in Dhenkanal district of the State.

Patnaik also sowed seeds along with other dignitaries who include State Agriculture Minister Surendranath Nayak, Dhenkanal MP Tathagat Satpathy, Agriculture Department Secretary U.P. Singh, and Director Agriculture Arabinda Padhi.

Addressing the farmers who gathered at the spot, Patnaik talked at length about the initiatives his government had been taking from time to time to help the farmers in various ways.

Patnaik reminded the farmers about his government's resolve to promote agriculture by strengthening irrigation and giving various support to the farmers to go in for crop diversification. All steps would be taken to ensure that farmers do not face any shortage of water for irrigation purpose, he added.

The Chief Minister also felicitated at least 30 successful farmers on the occasion.

Similar ceremonies were held by the administration in different districts across the State.